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🏛 House of Representatives3 readingsAmendments circulated
Social Security Amendment (Improved Child to Adult Transfer for Carer Payment and Carer Allowance) 2022
✦ Plain-English Summary
# Social Security Amendment (Improved Child to Adult Transfer for Carer Payment and Carer Allowance) Bill 2022
## What it does
When a young person being cared for turns 16, carers currently face a gap in support while waiting for the person to be assessed as an adult under disability rules. This bill extends the period carers can continue receiving payments—either until the person turns 18, or until they've been formally assessed and scored under the Adult Disability Assessment Tool, whichever comes later.
## Why it matters
Carers of young people with disabilities won't lose financial support during the transition from child to adult benefits, reducing stress during a critical period. It removes a bureaucratic cliff-edge where payments could stop abruptly before adult support kicks in.
## Key details
- The extension applies to both Carer Payment and Carer Allowance
- Carers need to make sure all assessment paperwork is submitted to the government by the time the young person turns 18
- The law takes effect the day after it receives Royal Assent (it has already passed parliament)
- The rules also extend to related health care card entitlements for carers
Official Description
Amends the: Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to: ensure all carers retain access to carer payment, carer allowance and the care allowance health care card until the care receiver turns 16 years and 3 months of age; and ensure that carers of children with a terminal condition who submit their claim documentation for the adult stream before their carer receiver turns 18 years of age, but have not been assessed by the time their carer receiver turns 18, will remain eligible for payment until their claim is assessed.
Committee Referrals
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Audit History
Last updated on APH
10 Apr 2026
Last checked by Crossbench
yesterday
Full text indexed
yesterday
🗳️No formal division recorded
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